Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports that Sanders will indeed be suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. O'Halloran also added insight into why Sanders conducted Tuesday's conference call:

Major compliments to Ace Sanders for doing conference call on impending suspension -- he reached out to team to do it. #Jaguars

Sanders is a diminutive but electric playmaker who caught 51 passes for 484 yards and a touchdown as a rookie in 2013. The fourth-round draft choice also threw a 21-yard touchdown pass and served as a return specialist, making his overall value and versatility apparent even on a 4-12 team.

It is encouraging that Sanders is receiving support from both head coach Gus Bradley and general manager David Caldwell. Such circumstances increase the odds even more that Sanders will be embraced by the organization upon his return.

This is yet another blow to the Jags' receiving corps, though, which is already without indefinitely suspended 2012 first-round pick Justin Blackmon.

Who will emerge as the Jaguars' No. 2 receiver behind Cecil Shorts in 2014?

Who will emerge as the Jaguars' No. 2 receiver behind Cecil Shorts in 2014?

Marqise Lee

61.3%

Allen Robinson

27.0%

Mike Brown

4.3%

Ace Sanders

7.5%

Total votes: 1,776

That makes Caldwell's draft strategy from this year all the more logical. After selecting quarterback Blake Bortles No. 3 overall to be the face of the franchise, Caldwell acquired former USC star Marqise Lee and Penn State standout Allen Robinson in the second round to bolster Jacksonville's cast of skill players.

Should Lee and Robinson contribute right away as they're now expected to even more with Sanders' absence, it could be difficult for Sanders to be targeted often when he comes back. The first contest Sanders will be eligible for after his four-game suspension is against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 5.

It's a test that will already be tough enough for a Jaguars team likely still a year or two from AFC playoff contention, so Sanders must prove his worth quickly. Between the two rookies, Cecil Shorts and Mike Brown, there could be as many as four capable wideouts who establish themselves before Sanders plays a snap in 2014.